While I agree that rank and merits may help identify the ones that have more knowledge on bitcoin or on all crypto, this doesn't mean that it is a 100% accurate way to differentiate people. I have seen people in this forum that know a lot about bitcoin but are not of those ranks, some are even developers. I guess it depends on which things a person is interested about and what are his long term goals in this industry.

- I can't really give the exact numbers but as long as I can remember I read about anything related to crypto as long as there is reception. Even on vacations. Which I started doing since late 2016. I do not focus on bitcoin alone though.
- Devices and internet. I guess being in a circle that also is fond of this industry also helped.